In a little saucepan on an oil cooking-stove was some plain rice, bubbling as Alice stirred it.

Virginia fetched from downstairs (Mrs.
Conisbee had assigned to them a shelf in her larder) bread, butter, cheese, a pot of preserve, and arranged the table (three feet by one and a half) at which they were accustomed to eat.

The rice being ready, it was turned out in two proportions; made savoury with a little butter, pepper, and salt, it invited them to sit down.
As they had been out in the morning, the afternoon would be spent in domestic occupations.

The low cane-chair Virginia had appropriated to her sister, because of the latter's headaches and backaches, and other disorders; she herself sat on an ordinary chair of the bedside species, to which by this time she had become used.

Their sewing, when they did any, was strictly indispensable; if nothing demanded the needle, both preferred a book.